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This past December Smart Energy Water (SEW), the leading cloud based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for Energy & Utility sector, gave 92 Guatemalan families clean water. Each filter was in honor of a client to thank them for their partnership. Deepak Garg, Chairman and Founder, shares that it's important for the company to give back because:​

"From inception SEW has been focused on leveraging technology to develop innovative platforms that pave the way for a better, and more sustainable future. Our solutions are designed to help raise awareness to combat the global challenges of energy & water scarcity. We realize this is something we can no longer overlook, so sustainability is at the core of what we do here at SEW."​Amazing, right? We are thrilled to partner with such an incredible company that believes in sustainable solutions! He goes on to say...

​"​By and large, the potential of strengthening communities through giving back to society, is huge. This is something that we all need to consider. It doesn’t have to be much, but we need to keep in mind that every single way we contribute, could elevate lives in ways we can’t even conceive of."

It doesn’t have to be much, but we need to keep in mind that every single way we contribute, could elevate lives in ways we can’t even conceive of.

The feedback SEW got from their partners who received a sponsored family in their honor was so positive. They LOVED the idea and that SEW chose to go above and beyond and use the holiday season to impact a Guatemalan community.

So why did SEW choose to give clean drinking water?

​Having access to clean and plentiful drinking water is a privilege. This was our attempt to quench the thirst of the few whom we could reach-out to. We hope our initiative of providing access to safe drinking water has made a difference in the lives of these families, and helped us take a successful step towards making communities more water secure.

When asked why the company chose to work with TivaWater, Deepak shared:

"We were impressed by TivaWater’s passion to provide clean drinking water to communities across the globe. Overall, their prior experience in carrying out such initiatives, and the positive impact they made, was surely an important motivation for SEW to partner with TivaWater."

​Thank you Smart Energy Water for your generosity and changing the lives of HUNDREDS of people.

It takes a lot of time, work, planning, organization, patience and prayer to get our filters into the family homes.

The entire process takes 4-7 months and begins in Belmont, Michigan where the filter parts are produced at a plant. This usually takes a few weeks, excluding any unforeseen malfunctions or technical errors. Other parts like tubing, the spigot, and sand are ordered from other vendors and everything is sent to Knoxville. Here, our experienced assembly team puts all the parts together, measures and bags the sand, and packages the filters to be shipped on a pallet. In each shipping container we can fit 1,080 filters.

In the meantime, our team is collaborating with our transportation company to settle on details like pick-up date, price, legal documentation, and coordinating with our in-country team to pick up the filters at the port.

Filters going to Guatemala only take a a few weeks (max) to arrive at the port, while filters going to Uganda can take 4-6 weeks. Once they are in country, it’s a waiting game. We hope to get through customs quickly, but you never know what is going to happen.

After teams get their hands on the filters they immediately go to a warehouse (In Uganda, TivaWater owns the warehouse. In Guatemala, we use the Vine International warehouse). These are the distribution points for filters.

Next, communities and families in need of filters are identified and then filters are loaded onto a truck and taken to the area for distribution. Sometimes the distribution is home to home and other times there is a group training. It all depends on the specific project. Every family is trained on how to use and maintain the filter and the importance of drinking clean water.

This past summer, TivaWater delivered filters to a small community in Guatemala known as El Esfuerzo. Our TivaWater manager, Diego, heard that the government has never been to the community and has no desire to help them. Therefore, he decided to begin visiting them and learn about their needs. Unfortunately, what he encountered during his time there was harrowing.

El Esfuerzo does not have power, safe water to drink, healthcare, schools, all the homes are in really bad condition, and most children are malnourished.

This community is located in the jungle, making it a very treacherous trip. The road is horrible and there is no way to walk by yourself- you must go in a group.

People of this community had never seen any kind of filter before because they are so far removed from society. They were all incredibly thankful to receive filters. Although we know this is barely scratching the surface to the myriad of problems this community faces, we hope this will bring some health and healing to families through clean water and the love of Christ.

We wanted to share this particular story for a few reasons: to expose the dire living conditions people experience in Guatemala, our dedication to serving the most vulnerable, and the ways that your dollars are truly helping the marginalized. Thank you for your continued support. ​​

1. TivaWater

Ok, so maybe we are a little bias on this one. But hey, can you blame us? Besides, this is the perfect gift for the person who has it all or would rather use 100% of their Christmas to help others in need. $100 provides a family with a TivaWater filter- giving them clean water for over 5 years! Donate a filter in someone's honor and we will send you a donation card, photo and bio of the family for you to gift to your loved one. Ready to send a filter? Click here!

​"We design and sell an inspired collection of jewelry and accessories made by Artisans across the globe. To make a difference in some of the world's most vulnerable communities, we partner with Artisan Businesses that share our passion for building a flourishing world. We develop these businesses through fair trade, empowering them to grow sustainably and to create dignified jobs for people who need them.​"

Get some gorgeous, unique pieces of jewelry, handbags, accessories, and scarves while supporting local Artisans. Start shopping!

"We are YOUME Clothing, a San Diego based nonprofit that exists to renew and empower communities through collaborative repurposing partnerships. We provide school uniforms and new clothes to kids in developing countries in exchange for their oldest, most tattered garment – which is repurposed into YOUME products and sold. Proceeds fund further clothing exchanges and development projects."

Partnerships are initiated through the exchange of school uniforms and after they are repuposed and sold through YOUME, the proceeds go back into the community to fund projects that address both immediate and long term, systematic needs. Check out what they've got.

"​Hiptipico is an ethical fashion brand based in Panajachel, Guatemala showcasing Maya artisans and their handmade creations. Every Hiptipico item is thoughtfully handcrafted by indigenous communities, using high-quality sustainable materials."

5. Stone + Cloth

"Here at BANDED, we are passionate about fashion, but even more so about giving back to make a tangible difference in our world. Since the beginning, our goal has been to stand for more than just the best accessories. Our 1 =3™ give back program changes a life with every single purchase. Every BANDED product purchased provides 3 meals to a child in need through feeding programs located in Uganda, Latin America, and the Caribbean."

7. The Giving Keys

"We're not a nonprofit, we're a social enterprise. So instead of raising donations, we sell products to provide jobs. A good job is a long-term solution for breaking cycles of generational poverty and homelessness. That's why we place people on career paths and hand them they keys to unlock their fullest potential."

Their "3 Keys to Unlocking Potential" are stability, community, and identity.

"FEED is a social business, which means there is an enduring principle at the heart of what we do: people’s choices of what to buy and wear have the power to change the world. As such, all of our products are produced under fair-labor conditions. We are also committed to using environmentally friendly materials, including organic cotton and burlap, whenever possible.

We are also proud to work with artisans for a growing number of collections. We work with established cooperatives in Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, El Salvador, and Peru to provide sustainable livelihoods to underserved populations. Through the sale of our artisan-made products, we provide meals in the countries where they were produced, closing the loop on our investment in these communities."

9. WEWOOD

Pure Life. "Every Pura Vida product is carefully handcrafted by artisans around the world. The commitment o their craft is conveyed through the quality of their work. The artisan's dedication to the "pura vida" way of life is demonstrated in the seemingly endless color combinations and innovative styles. Each bracelet is as unique as the person wearing it."Check out their bracelets, rings, necklaces, and accessories.

​Bukasa, Kampala, Uganda: Last week, TivaWater distributed 220 filters to families in Bukasa, a community located outside of Kampala. About 3,000 families live in Bukasaand 80% of them are of Rwandanese origin. Most are from the Hutu Tribe, a group that originally escaped the Rwandan war by going to the Congo in 1994 and then reunited in various refugee camps in Uganda. Those that stayed have rebuilt their lives in Bukasa.

​Some still reside in the refugee camps, which has been “an enriching and tough experience” as expressed by one of the residents. There is still a language barrier (cannot speak the language of Uganda: Lugandan), so many residents do odd jobs, however, others have been able to start their own small businesses.

​About 80% of the residents get their water from the tap, but it is not safe to drink and must be boiled. The rest collect their water from an open well. It is expensive to boil water and oftentimes families cannot afford to buy the coal necessary to boil every time. This leaves many of them, especially children, sick with various waterborne illnesses. The community of Bukasa was incredibly grateful for the TivaWater filters. We did not have enough filters for every family this time around, but they all pleaded we bring more. We will continue to support this community as we raise support.

​Water source: Simu river For three years, some residents of Kimuli have enjoyed drinking water from TivaWater filters. They express their love for how good their water tastes now. The village health center reports families with TivaWater filters in their homes are much healthier than families without one.​

Here are two stories of families impacted by TivaWater filters:

Michael and Peter

"This water is very sweet!" Michael and his son Peter (right) use their TivaWater filter for everything: cooking, cleaning, washing, and drinking. Before they had their filter, they drank water straight from the river, which made them very sick and cause them to miss work and school. Now, they are much healthier and are able to lead better, more productive lives. Peter just finished school and aspires to earn his college degree. He plays soccer and during our visit was very curious to learn how the filter actually purifies the water. ​

Above: Micheal (left) and Peter speak with Jake, our International Business Manager, about the effectiveness of their filter. Below: We partner with ChildFund in Uganda to provide filters to families. Michael and Peter received their filter through ChildFund. As you can see, it is decorated- the family takes great pride in their filter.

Jaqulyn

Jacqulyn noticed a big difference in her family's health once they started using their TivaWater filter and now they use it for everything. They also love how the water tastes! Jacqulyn shared that she has only ever washed her baby in TivaWater water. ​ She says her whole family is healthy now because of TivaWater.

Lives are being saved and changed because of TivaWater filters. Your contributions matter. Please consider making a gift to help a family in need: www.tivwater.com/give

Families in Ajidak have had their filters for two years. They typically collect their water from a borehole, however, it sometimes breaks for months at a time forcing them to drink the water from their local lake. Both sources are contaminated and dirty, which is why TivaWater filters are vital to the health of a family. Julius has a very large family and they all drink the filtered water. They absolutely love the taste and have noticed a significant improvement in their health since drinking from their TivaWater filter. To show their gratitude, they gifted our team with two chickens, which was an extravagant act of appreciation.

Above: Our team being given two chickens in an extravagant act of appreciation. Below: Julius and his wife with their filter

Your contributions to TivaWater provide families with access to safe drinking water, which is life-saving and life-changing. You can make a gift here. We encourage you to consider becoming part of our monthly giving team. Those that are committed to supporting TivaWater are truly the lifeblood of this organization. Take a look at different giving options.

​Some families of Atekwa have been using their TivaWater filters for a year and a half and love that the water now tastes good. The water source is not only dirty and rife with typhoid, but emits an unpleasant odor. Those without a TivaWater filter commonly filter their water using a cloth and pot- a method that causes many to become ill. ​

Charles

Charles' big family, including their baby, only drink water from their TivaWater filter. Since receiving their TivaWater filter, Charles reports that his entire family has become healthy. They no longer come down with typhoid, giardia, and other waterborne disease. Not only does their filter remove all the dangerous bacteria, it removes the bad smell and taste. Charles and his family are incredibly grateful for their filter and want everyone in their community to receive one.

"I want every family in my community to have a TivaWater filter."​

Stella Margaret

​Stella is married and has one child. Their family of three collect water from the local borehole and use their filter water for everything. Before receiving a TivaWater filter, they drank their water straight from the borehole after running it through a cloth. Because cloth cannot purify water, they often came down with typhoid- forcing them to spend precious resources on medication. Now, with their improved health they are living happier, health lives, and saving money.

​Central Baptist Church of Johnson City sent a team of 42 to Rincon De Pacaya in Guatemala this past June. They did amazing work by meeting many needs of the community. The team delivered 50 TivaWater filters in the village homes. During these home visits, doctors and nurses came along to treat the families for parasites, which gave everyone the opportunity to start with a clean gastro system utilizing clean water. The team was careful to take the time to train each family on proper usage and maintenance to ensure the longevity of effectiveness of the filters. Their in-country contacts will do follow-up visits to ensure that they are working properly and have the chance to answer any questions.

In addition to filter deliveries, they set up medical and dental clinics and saw an average of 250 patients each day, did daily Bible School and meals for 160 children, built beds for 25 homes, passed out 500 Luci lights in areas without electricity, and distributed over 500 pounds of food and loved on children.

Jim Harlan, Guatemala Missions Director, says: “Thanks to TivaWater for making this needed ministry possible. We look forward to placing filters again in 2018.”

We hope you are encouraged to go out and use your passions, talents, and giftings to be "on mission for the world."